Fierce Romance: June 2011

Abby Niles

I subbed a manuscript for the first time in a year on Monday. It’s been a long, hard year…but that’s a different story. Anyway, this made me think back on how far I have come in the five years since I started writing, and how some things never change.

For the things that hasn’t changed:

I still hate hitting the send button. It seriously is the most traumatizing part of the process for me. After I have the submission package ready to send, it’s showdown time. I stare at the button, and it stares at me. I wiggle my fingers at my sides as the theme music to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly plays in the room and a tumbleweed rolls between us—not really, lol, but that is exactly how I feel. The moment is intense. My heart is pumping, stomach churning, sweaty palms, the whole freaking nine yards. To this day, I still have to position the curser over the button, close my eyes, take a deep breath and click the mouse. When I open my eyes and see the your-message-has-been-sent notification, the oh-craps start. Oh crap, it wasn’t ready. Oh crap, I should have read through it one more time. Oh crap, the changes I made suck.

The wait never gets any easier either. The obsessive checking of my email started two minutes after I sent it. How stupid is that? Two minutes? It’s like my brain believes I can Jedi mind trick my editor into immediately believing ‘this is the story your looking for’ without even opening the dang doc. Now it’d be cool as hell if it worked that way, but it doesn’t. So what screwed up portion of my mind makes me obsessively check my email when I KNOW I’m in for a wait?

Rejections still suck, as does the anticipation of a rejection. Cause let me tell you something, just because you’ve become published, it doesn’t mean everything you write afterwards will sell. Sad truth.

Now for the things that have changed:

I much more confident in my writing. I’m not talking I am the queen of writing and everyone will love every book I put out kind of confidence—even after a contract is offered I deal with the everyone-will-hate-it blues. The confidence I’m talking about is more the writing aspect of it. There was a point, only a couple of years ago, that if I made the slightest change, I had to have my CP’s look over it. Seriously. Slightest change. Now I save my bothering of them for more meatier revisions.

You will get bad reviews. They used to bug the hell out of me, and I won’t lie, there’s still a definite ouch-factor when I get one, but I can let it go much more easily than I could in the beginning. If one is especially harsh, and I’ve had my fair share of those, I’ll go back and read reviewers who liked my story to help take out the sting.

The more you write the better writer you’ll become. I pulled out an oldie a few weeks ago. As I read the story, which was cringe-worthy, I was stunned at how much I have grown. Years later, I can look back at some of my older writing and I know why it’s still sitting on my hard drive and not on a publisher’s website. The awesome thing about now is I can fix it. I sold The Panther’s Lair that way. Man, was that story horrible when I pulled it back out three years later. Hor-ri-ble. I spent six weeks doing a total re-write of the story, and I sold it. So don’t think just because something isn’t selling in the beginning of your writing journey that years down the road, it won’t. You just need a little more know-how to help fine tune and spiff-up the submission.

In all, the writing journey is hard, even after publication. If for a minute, you think you can write something and it will sale, you’re in for a rude awakening. Now granted there have been authors that sold the first thing they ever wrote, I acknowledge that, but it’s not the norm. It’s a struggle. But let me tell you, even through all the tears and rejections, writing has been the second most satisfying things I’ve ever done—having my kids being the first. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

So good luck to all of you! I’m wishing everyone a happy and long writing career!

Esme

1 comments | Links to this post

Inveraray Castle

Nicole North

After about an hour or two drive from Glasgow, through Rest and Be Thankful, we arrived in Inveraray, a beautiful small town. Nearby is Inverary Castle, home to the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell.
They have some beautiful black Highland cattle.

We enjoyed a tour of the castle's extensive interior. No photos were allowed inside, but there was plenty outside to photograph. The azaleas were in full bloom.

Wow look how blue the sky is! When the sun does come out in Scotland, the colors are so vivid.

The original castle on this spot had been here since the 1400s. At the time, the village was a collection of cottages very close to the castle. The third duke had the old castle demolished. The current Inveraray castle dates back to 1744. This castle isn't a true castle in the traditional sense (used for defense), but a Georgian mansion house in a Gothic style. It took about 40 years to complete. After a fire in 1877, a third floor was added along with the conical roofs on the corner towers.

I love these beautiful old trees covered in moss.

The old village of Inveraray, which was very close to the castle, was moved a short distance away. The fifth Duke of Argyll had the town constructed on it's present site beginning in 1770. This is one of the best examples of an eighteenth century town in Scotland and most of the buildings are protected because of their architectural significance. This is one of the prettiest towns I've seen.

Dun na Cuaiche sits on a hilltop far above the castle, near the site of an Iron Age fort.

Millions of bluebells grow on the castle grounds. They even have a Bluebell Festival here at the castle in May and children dress up like fairies.

The gardens were incredibly beautiful and large. We had a nice long stroll through them.

To learn more about the castle, especially the interior, click here for the ground floor. After you view that, there's a menu to the side where you can select the other floors.

Thanks for checking out my photos!
Nicole
www.nicolenorth.com

Labels: Argyll, Inveraray Castle, Nicole North, Scotland travel 20 comments | Links to this post

On The Way to NYC

Natasha Moore

As you read this, I will be riding a train to New York City for the Romance Writers of America's annual conference. I've only travelled once by train before, but it wasn't as long a trip as this will be. My hubby the train buff is actually disappointed he's not going with me. We'll have to plan another trip sometime.

It's over 8 hours by train from Buffalo to NYC, which seems like a lot of time riding the rails. I'm travelling with some friends from the Western NY Romance Writers chapter, so I'm sure there will be lots of writing talk, both on the way to conference and coming back home. I'll also have my netbook and Kindle with me, so if we ever want to rest our vocal chords, I won't lack for things to do.

I'm looking forward to some interesting workshops in NY, inspiring discussions, and the chance to meet up with old friends and make some new ones. I don't have any agent or editor appointments, as I generally suck at them. But who knows what might happen over the next few days. I plan to take a lot of pictures and will share some of them, and possibly some interesting stories, with you next week after I get back home.

So I'm off to pack. Who else will be at National this week?

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Labels: Natasha Moore, Romance Writers of America, Western NY Romance Writers 4 comments | Links to this post

Bicycling in Amsterdam

Carly Carson

What is the most common mode of transportation in Amsterdam? If you looked at the picture, you know the answer. A bicycle.

As a city reclaimed from the ocean, Amsterdam is totally flat. Therefore, bicycling is easy, and everyone does it. You will see chic ladies in high heels and skirts, businessmen in suits and ties, senior citizens, and kids of all ages, including teens in social groups.

The authorities have encouraged the practice by building bike paths everywhere there is a road. Bicyclists also have the right of way over anyone else, including pedestrians. Which means walking can be hazardous. Each road consists of the car roadway, a paved bike path, and a sidewalk. Major streets also include tram tracks. Oftentimes, all these things are on the same level, with little to mark one lane from a different one, not even a curb.

Whatever method you are using to get around, you need to be very careful as people and cars come from all directions. Not to mention the scooters, which as far as I can tell are allowed on any surface they can find. Cars often park on the sidewalks, which forces pedestrians onto the bike path, and bicyclists will not be happy to see you there.

Notice the child in the box on the picture above. To his right is another child on his own bike. It is common to see a mom moving her children around this way. Or here's an alternative method. Ride on the back.

Even adults ride on the back. I loved this shot of an older couple. The woman is pedaling along and the well-dressed man is enjoying the ride.

You will see people carrying umbrellas, texting, talking on their phones.

If you are observant, you will have noticed one unusual fact about bicyclists in the Netherlands (versus the US). No one is wearing a helmet. No one. I never saw a single helmet on a bicyclist in Amsterdam. Not even toddlers in the little boxes attached to the front. (See note below.) But I did see my first bicycle garage.

The bike garage is right over a canal. How cool is that?

Note re bicycle accidents: Amsterdam is a very safe city traffic-wise. Approximately 200 people per year die in bike accidents in The Netherlands, with an average of only 6 per year in Amsterdam. http://www.tobysterling.net/2007/12/bike-accident-deaths-in-amsterdam-and.html
Death in traffic accidents overall is the lowest in Europe at 45 deaths per million inhabitants per year vs. the comparable US rate of 147 deaths per million and the European rate of 90 deaths per million. (credit Toby Sterling). So I guess that's why they don't feel the need for helmets.

Labels: Amsterddam, bicycling, bicycling in Amsterdam, Carly Carson 6 comments | Links to this post

5 Hunks! Royal Reviews Blog Giveaway!

Terry Spear

The Royal Reviews Blog is finally up, so here's a chance at a free win if you'd like to drop by and say hi!

And I was excited to learn about Heart of the Highland Wolf receiving 5 hunks!!!

Review: Heart of the Highland Wolf
Author: Terry Spear
ISBN: 978-1-4022-4552-7
Publisher: Sourcebook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Price: $7.99

Julia Wildthorn is a romance writer who decides to travel to Scotland under the guise of working on a movie crew who is filming at a castle that the owner keeps everyone out. Of course other than researching her next book she is on another mission to find something left behind by one of her ancestors.

Ian MacNeill is the owner of Argent Castle and head of his clan who also happen to be werewolves. Hence the reason he does not like humans on his land. But, when his brother has put the family in financial straights so what could he do when approached to allow a movie crew on his land he concedes.

When Ian sets eyes on Julia he is drawn to her like he has never felt about a woman before and of course he can sense she is also a wolf. But, he knows she is hiding something from him and how can he be sure that she is not working for his enemy.

What happens when you bring a writer, two warring clans, a film crew and lots of testosterone together? One word exciting!!

Terry Spear continues to draw us into her world of wolves and this time she takes us on a trip to Scotland where men are warriors as well as wolves. From the first book in her series I have been hooked and I continue to be totally amazed and feel as if I am inside the story myself. I look forward to her next book coming in December DREAMING OF THE WOLF.

Annette gives this book

Posted by RomFan Review

Woohoo, thanks to Annette at RomFan Reviews! I ADORE my 5 hunks!!!

You know that the zoo was a wash yesterday, closed for some special event. Then my daughter and I went to get the marriage license for my daughter, she had to have her groom with her. Then we went to get his wedding ring, the place wasn't open, though it was supposed to be. So we went to X-Men, and enjoyed it thoroughly!

I'm off to work today--back to the zoo with the wilder than wild creatures, but I'll be having a giveaway on Monday next.

Have a great Saturday!

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

Labels: Exchanging Grooms, Heart of the Highland Wolf, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, Seduced by the Wolf, Terry Spear, The Dark Fae, The Deadly Fae, urban fantasy, Wolf Fever 4 comments | Links to this post

Guest: Eliza Knight + Book Giveaway!

Nicole North

The Difference Between Porn, Erotica, Erotic Romance and Romance

By Eliza Knight

I’m going to be daring today and talk about sex, sex scenes and the written word. There are varying stages of sex in writing, and for authors, it is sometimes hard to know which line you’ve crossed or uncrossed. Where do you fit in the scheme of things?

It all depends on the sex and the plot.

Here are my definitions:

Porn—Pornography’s goal is to elicit a sexual response from the audience. To turn you on. To ramp up the synergy in the bedroom, or to do something you may consider risqué. While a pornographic novel or movie may or may not have a specific plot, the end result should be you feeling randy. Very graphic in nature. May include kink, fetishes, taboo sexuality, multiple partners.

Erotica—The focus of erotica is on the sexual journey of the main character in the story. While the sensuality of the story can turn you on—there is also a deeply focused plot. The main plot follows a character as they grow sexually. There is a GMC. There isn’t necessarily a happily-ever-after or happy-for-now, as the focus is not a relationship but on the sexuality of the main character. Graphic language and graphic scenes. May include kink, fetishes, taboo sexuality, multiple partners.

Erotic Romance—Erotic romance focuses on the relationship between two people (or sometimes more). They grow and change together. There is a GMC and there is either a happily-ever-after or at least a happy-for-now. You may say this sounds a lot like a romance, and that is because it IS a romance. What is the difference between a romance and an erotic romance? The language and the sexual activity. More graphic language, ie, the “c” word. More graphic sex. Your characters can get really down and dirty, explore their sexuality together. More kink, fetishes, taboo sexuality, multiple partners—but it doesn’t have to include these last bits. The main difference between erotic romance and regular romance is the graphic nature—like Rated R vs. Mature Audiences Only. (and yes, the sex scenes may turn you on.)

Romance—A romance focuses on the relationship between two people. That is the main focus of the story. Sexuality varies from very sweet (maybe hand-holding) to Rated R—sizzling HOT. While there are sub-plots etc… the story is all about the h/h and how they will get together. The characters have concrete GMCs. In the end, there is a happily-ever-after or at least a happy-for-now. (Once again, the sex scenes may have you reaching for your sig other or taking the single road to happy land.)

You see in all my descriptions I talked about how the story can make you feel sexually—it’s true, there’s no doubt about it. The biggest difference between all of these you will see are the focus of the story, and the graphic nature.

I personally write romance and erotic romance, and I have varying degrees of sexuality in all of my stories, some of them are XXX hot and some of them are more on the sizzling spectrum, but all in all, every story I write has a concrete plot and is character/relationship driven.

There is nothing wrong with porn or erotica, hell it’s a fine line between them all! (And I enjoy them all too). But, if someone says to me, “oh, you write porn,” that will get my knickers in a twist faster than if my husband complains about the laundry. I do NOT write porn. I write romance, no matter how sexy, hot or graphic it is, my stories are all about love, and how two people fall in love, and express that love through making love (and doin’ it well, I might add J)

My release this week—A PIRATE’S BOUNTY, is a lot more hard-core than any of the other stories I’ve written, hence the “Reader Advisory”, but that being said, it is still a love story, and I had a blast figuring out how to get Wraith and Faryn together.

My other new release, A LADY’S CHARADE, is not considered erotic romance, but it is sizzling, and boy do Alexander and Chloe put up a fight!

Answer my question for a chance to win a copy of BOTH of my new releases! (one winner)
What makes a book a Keeper for you?

Eliza Knight is a multi-published author of historical romance and erotic romance. Her releases this summer include: A LADY’S CHARADE, a medieval romance, and A PIRATE’S BOUNTY, a historical pirate erotic romance. Visit Eliza at www.elizaknight.com

A PIRATE’S BOUNTY – Now Available at Ellora’s Cave!

1764. When Faryn is captured by the mysterious and sensual dread pirate Captain Wraith Noir, who delivers her as a slave to the flesh-hungry court of the pirate queen, she expects her future will be bleak and death imminent. Lucky for Faryn, Wraith doesn’t plan for that to be her end, as he wants her for his own.

Duty, desire, passion, revenge and treachery besiege Faryn and Wraith. With the future uncertain, only fate, love and the truth will set them both free.

Reader Advisory: Contains a heroine experiencing the diverse pleasures of a pirate queen’s court, including f/f touching and scorching public sex, as well as mentions of traditional pirating endeavors.

An Excerpt From: A PIRATE’S BOUNTY

Chapter One

The Coast of the Greek Isles, 1764

The crack of the whip stung as it struck the flesh of Faryn’s bare buttocks. She bit hard on the inside of her cheek, refusing to cry out as she knew the crew liked to hear. She would not try to jump overboard again.

Metal clanked against the masts as men shouted, “Heave! Ho!” to get the sails down now that they’d come into port. Instead of a white sail flying prominently against the mainmast, this ship’s sail was a flag. Large and intrusive, its image would shake any ship or person who neared it. Eerie wisps of clouds dusted the night sky, and the large silvery moon shone in flashes on the design, which sent an involuntary shudder through her now, just as it always did. Against the wide black backdrop, sewn in white, a large skull, and beneath it two silver swords crisscrossed. Below that was clearly an image in white of the top half of a man, well-muscled, who held the two swords.

“School your hands, mate! Orelia will not be pleased that you marred the flesh of one of her slaves.” The voice was filled with authority, and though he spoke English, she noted a slight undertone of French, something she ought to remember as he could prove to be an ally, but as soon as the thought entered her mind it was quickly gone again.

Slave.

The word echoed in Faryn’s mind over and over in tune to the throb of the welt on her flesh. She looked around with glazed eyes. A rough crew this was. Weapons covered their bodies, some crude, some elegant—and so very out of place, with their rough clothing. They smiled, some with teeth and some without. They leered at her with one or two eyes, some covered with a patch. Some grabbed at their crotches and waggled what little bits of male flesh hid beneath the layers of grubby breeches. Except for one. The captain. He stood out—dark, mysterious, large and eerily handsome. A cut above the rest.

Slave. Slave. Slave.

This was why they’d taken her in the middle of the night. She cursed her sleeplessness and need to walk on the beach that dreadful evening. They’d ripped her from everything she knew, tied her hands behind her back, tossed her over their shoulders and disappeared into the fog. She would be slave to Orelia. But who was Orelia? She’d never heard the name before now.

“Avast, ye wretches, down ye go, else prepare to feed the fish!” a man shouted, as he hobbled up and down the line of slaves on one foot and a wooden pegleg.

The captain’s gaze held hers, catching her breath in her throat. She was frightened…yet another feeling had her belly twisting into knots. Without taking his gaze from hers, he flicked his hand toward her and sliced through the rope tying her arms around the mast. He jerked his head toward the other gangplank and Faryn hurried to line up with the other beaten and naked men and women who would serve as slaves to the mysterious Orelia, eager to have her feet walk on steady ground again. They’d traveled far, she was sure. And as she stepped down the gangplank, splinters sinking into the tender flesh of her feet, she was hit with the knowledge that escape would not come easy.

Ocean stretched far and wide. The sounds of water crashing against the shore, and the scents of salt and ocean surrounded her. Loud voices shouted all around her, mixed with the creaking of boards, boot heels clicking on wood and other ship sounds. From the dock came people, she could barely make them out with only the small lanterns they carried. Naked bodies trembled and wobbled down the planks in front of her. She was delirious from hunger and pain. Cold and wet.

Gooseflesh rose along her limbs, her nipples were hard and stung as her hair whipped violently against her chest.

She cried out and lost her footing. Arms flung out, she sought hold of anything, her hands catching the slippery back of another slave, who jumped forward at her touch. Her knees dropped to the wood of the gangplank.

“Get up!” shouted one of the men wielding a whip. But she could not. She was so weak…too tired. Her vision blurred.

“That one won’t make it. Captain, ye want her back? Might be best to toss her to the sharks.”

___

Yikes! Fantastic cliffhanger! I can't wait to read this!

Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win Eliza's wonderful hot books!!

Thanks!

Nicole

Labels: Eliza Knight, erotic romance, medieval romance 17 comments | Links to this post

Carly Carson

Please join us in welcoming author Sharon Hamilton today.

When I was a full time business coach, I used to tell my customers, you must be easy to start and hard to stop. Everyone thinks they start from way behind the curve. They've procrastinated and now when they have to start, they have to work through all the debilitating emotions of frustration and discouragement, before they can even begin their project.

And then there were those who wanted it all today, wanted to catch up in one sitting, who were so anxious to make headway, they too had to battle the range of emotions and frustrations that they felt held them back, due to their impatience. I often have that form of "startitis" - in fact, it used to plague me whenever I'd start a new diet. And the worrying over whether or not I would stick to it long enough to have results would overcome me and by 10 o'clock, the diet was blown. And then it makes it harder to start again.

But starting is just that, starting all over. My opinion is that it's 80% of the battle, just beginning. If I can put out of my mind all the other little self-talk that is unproductive and just plain not true in many cases, I can get that big locomotive fired up and begin my new project. By "new" it could mean writing new or editing. Whatever the project.

I used to use the illustration of getting a big locomotive running. It doesn't matter how hard we press on the pedal on that big engine. The thing will accelerate at a certain speed no matter what. If we've floored it and really jumped on the pedal (they probably don't even have one, but I use it for illustration), that big machine would only go so fast in such a period of time. The extra effort on our part is irrelevant.

On the other hand, there's this little thing called Momentum that begins once we are sailing down the rails. The weight of the machine and the forward motion help propel us further, even if we should temporarily take our foot off the pedal.

And that's where people have the hardest time. After they start, they get some success, and do happy dancing all over the room, and then forget to get back to work. I'd have business leaders achieve a windfall month of profits and then take the rest of the year off, and wind up behind what they did the year before. We used to say that earning a huge commission check was the surest detriment to many people succeeding. Just ask lottery winners. They'll tell you.

The magic happens in the not stopping. Notice there is no mention of talent. We all want to be so talented someone will come along and give us millions of dollars for that screen play, that novel, but in fact, the world doesn't operate like that. Somehow, even though others have struggled, our path will be smooth and easy.

You will have a ten times better chance of dying in a commercial plane crash than winning the lottery. Chances someone will pay you $1M for your book? I'd say even less.

What about you? What do you do to get yourself started? How do you keep your momentum fired up?

Sharon Hamilton lives in Sonoma County, California, with her husband, 60 chickens, 100 koi and the 2 Dobermans who want to eat them all. An organic gardener for over 35 years, Sharon tends her vegetable and flower gardens when she is not writing or going to RWA meetings. She’s a member of 4 local chapters, as well as numerous online groups.

She writes paranormal romance, about angels, dark angels and some vamps, even some new species: Upogenie. Her stories follow the rocky road to redemption, but not exactly what you’ve been taught in Sunday School. Like, did you know angels don’t wear panties and have sex?

Sharon's first novel, Angel, is newly released. Here's the blurb:

An unconventional and fiercely independent Guardian angel, Claire, is sent to save the life of a talented but tormented Brazilian-born painter, Daniel DePalma, preyed upon by a powerful Dark angel. Although warned , this Dark angel has a special appetite for Guardians, and when Claire and Daniel become lovers, violating all of Heaven’s rules, he offers the pair a chance to stay together forever by turning to the dark side. Will their love succumb to temptation to make a deal with the devil or spend eternity forever separated?

Here's an excerpt for Angel:

Truth was, she usually liked to shower with her charges, but it was not the recommended way. She would give him a little more distance tonight; let him show her his dreams and the true source of his torment. Her instincts told her to be cautious. Something in her internal radar was bleeping off the charts.

She inched her way closer so she could smell the shower gel he used. She leaned against the wall, letting the lemony steam cover her invisible but sensitive angel flesh. She closed her eyes and listened to him reprimanding himself in Portuguese. It wasn’t important to have a word-for-word translation; she understood perfectly what he was saying. The way the sounds rolled off his tongue and the deep resonance of his voice was soothing. She knew in that instant that she could save him. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to live. He was fighting with himself, and right now that was a good thing.

She was still daydreaming when the water stopped and he reached for the towel located on the wall Claire was leaning against. His hands went through her shoulders to grip the blue terrycloth hanging there. She didn’t move as he pulled the fluffy cotton to his face, buried his face in it, and then reached behind him to towel dry his hair with one muscled arm as he arched backwards, giving her a first class view of his chiseled abs, and more.

Buy Link for Angel

Sharon's special love is writing hot Navy SEAL stories, which have won her some contest kudos.

She writes from close personal family experience with authenticity only a family member would know. It is her way of saying thank you to the men and women who put their lives on the line so we can do all the crazy things we do everyday.
Agented, Sharon is looking for the right outlet for her work.
Blog: http://sharonhamiltonauthor.blogspot.com

Email: sharonhamilton2001@gmail.com

Sharon also writes under the pen name of Angela Love. She has two fun, erotic short stories out.

The Stimulus Package

and

Buzz Words

Labels: Angela Henry, Buzz Words, Sharon Hamilton, The Stimulus Package 4 comments | Links to this post

Guest: Danielle Monsch + Book Giveaway!

Nicole North

I got ‘The Call’ (or its epub equivalent, the email) on a snowy morning.

My husband and I had been fighting, I’m sorry to say – nothing horrible, just general snippiness. Nonetheless, I wasn’t in a great mood. We were debating whether to send my daughter to preschool. Snow in our area has a way of bringing everything to a screeching standstill, and I didn’t want to chance her being stuck at school because of crappy roads keeping me away.

We eventually decided the child should go, so out my husband and daughter went into the cold morning. After waving my goodbye and locking the door, I went over and fired up the computer, putting on the tea kettle as everything booted up.

Going back to the computer, as is my habit, I looked at my email first.

Now, I was expecting a message from Liquid Silver. They had asked me for a revise and resubmit on Loving a Fairy Godmother, so I knew they had to eventually tell me yes or no. But with me still a little irritated over the fight, it took me a second to realize the email from Liquid Silver was THE EMAIL, the one that would let me know if I could call myself a published author yet, or still needed to wait a little while.

I opened up that email, the first three words were “We are pleased…” and I knew I had been accepted, I was going to have a story published.

A squee did indeed leave my lips, and my first thought is I wanted to tell hubby. I ran for the door just in time to see the car U-turn and make its way down our street. In bare feet, I did take a few steps on a very cold, snow covered sidewalk, waving my arms in the air, hoping hubby would see me from one of the mirrors, but that was not to be.

I went back in the house and gave him a call on his cell. However, it seems the weather must have been screwing with phone reception, because the call was very static-y. I eventually yelled in the receiver for him to call me once he got to work.

The following forty minutes was tough. I wanted to tell everyone, but I wanted my hubby to know first, so I had to sit on my hands and wait for him to call me. My stomach was jumping; I kept putting my arms around my middle to try to calm it down.

Finally I got my hubby’s call. Because of our earlier fight his voice was not the friendliest, but as soon as I told him, he emitted the manly version of a squeal and he started to congratulate me, which in turn made me start hyperventilating, because hearing his happiness cemented it in my mind that this was real, and I was going to be a published author.

All in all, not how I envisioned my first ever ‘call’, but I’ll take it. It was messy and unpredictable, but it was real, it was my life.

However I got the ‘call’, I’m just grateful I got it.

LOVING A FAIRY GODMOTHER

Tiernan is one of a kind. Beyond the divine dimples, killer blue eyes, and hard muscled body, Tiernan is also the only Fairy Godfather. Most of the Fairy Godmothers have no problem with keeping Tiernan around, but Reina isn’t like most Fairy Godmothers.

Amongst Fairy Godmothers, Reina is the best. Organized, efficient, logical. So why is it when Tiernan is around, all those qualities fly out the window? Reina doesn’t like that one infuriating male makes her lose control, and just wants him gone. Circumstances arise that just might let her get her wish, though not in a way she ever wanted.

Tiernan is given an assignment and told either get a Happily Ever After or he will no longer be a Fairy Godfather. Reina is going with him to supervise, but if Tiernan gets his way, he’ll not only be supervising that luscious stubborn fairy in bed, but also get her to admit Happily Ever Afters also apply to Fairy Godmothers.

Excerpt:

“Godfather Tiernan—”

“You can just call me Tiernan,” he interrupted.

She tried again. “Godfather Tiernan—”

“”Didn’t Sara just tell you that you had to follow my directions?”

That pushed her over the edge. “Do you truly think you are going to secure a HEA when you haven’t been able to do it yet?”

He let out a derisive snort, but immediately realized that was a huge mistake. Her face lost her usual look of annoyance crossed with bemused tolerance, leaving pure ice in its place. “This is why men should not be allowed into the Godmother program. None of you have any respect for Happily Ever Afters.”

“I never said I didn’t believe in HEAs” he began, but she cut him off.

“Every case you’ve been on tells me you don’t believe, or else you would have tried once, just once, to get one!”

His hands slammed on the table as he leaned across it, his face coming inches from hers. “I’ve never tried because I believe in love! Humans need love so much, who the hell was I to screw up two people in love to get them to HEA status? I could never forgive myself if two people in love missed out on each other because of my actions!”

All anger fled her face, and a hesitant, unsure look came over features. “What do you think a HEA is?”

He drew in a deep breath, sitting down once again. “I think happily ever after is a nice way to end a story, but in the world I remember, it’s a waste.”

Her hand was halfway towards him before she seemed to remember their roles, and she pulled it back to her side. “Love is wonderful, but only love alone is incomplete. You can love someone, but they can ultimately not be right for you. Even in love, people can still be led to believe the worst of each other, still hurt each other, still decide they are better without the other,” she began, her words hesitant, as if she was trying to define to herself what it all meant as much as to him. “But the Happily Ever After is so much more. It’s finding your perfect match, love purified, refined, to such an extent that it can never be sundered. With a Happily Ever After, men can achieve greatness, as can all the generations who follow growing up in its shadow.”

“And you think jeopardizing the surety of a love match now is worth it for only the possibility of a Happily Ever After?” he asked, his voice gentle, reverent, wanting nothing to break this intimacy their words were creating.

“I do. In your view, maybe that seems cruel, but in my view, there is no greater tragedy then two people who almost make this connection but fall short in the end.”

Such a hard exterior to cover such a tender heart. “I’m not sure if I can believe as you do,” he said after considering her words. “But I never want Sara... you... to feel as if I let you down. After we get this situation behind us, I want you proud of the job I do.”

And as his breath caught at the rare smile she bestowed upon him just then, he knew all she had to do was keep smiling at him like that, and anything she wanted, whether it be his beliefs or his blood, he would give her.

Her smile faded, and the moment ended. Reina cloaked herself in her position of authority as she handed him the file that had been sitting on her desk. It was already open to show a picture of a blond girl, pretty and vibrant with a mouth full of straight white teeth, all of which was evident even underneath the dirt. “I looked over this case earlier, before I realized what was going on,” she said. “It is a good, solid HEA case. There are several challenges to overcome, but also several sources of help for the client. It is about as perfect as a case can be for this purpose, as evenly balanced as I’ve ever seen. No one can accuse the council of favoring either side. The girl’s name is Cinderella. She lives with an abusive Stepmother and two rotten spoiled stepsisters. She is a very kind, generous girl—though a little too much of a doormat, if you ask me—but outside of that, not really any other character flaws. She is much beloved in her village, children and small animals flock to her daily. In short, we exist to give HEAs to mortals like her.”

Tiernan read the file quickly, then flipped the page and took in the photo of the male who would supply the HEA. “A prince, huh? That’s pretty standard.”

“Indeed, but for the most part, we don’t mess with the classics here.” The pointed look she gave him told him he was one of the exceptions, and she wasn’t necessarily thrilled about it. Ah yes, completely back to normal.

He returned that look with a flirty smile. “I used to serve royalty, Godmother Reina. Believe me when I say, sometimes the large crown is to compensate for something.”

“Oh really? Well, I assume we can say the same thing about your sword, eh, knight?”

Maybe not completely back to normal after all. The second those words passed her lips her eyes went saucer wide, and Tiernan couldn’t say who was more shocked, him or Reina herself. There was no way he was letting this pass. His voice coming out a low growl, he replied, “Why, Reina, I never knew you were interested in the size of my sword. Anytime you want a private viewing, I will be more than happy to oblige.”

Danielle Monsch is a Romantic Geek Girl Writing in a Fantasy World. Her debut story, Loving a Fairy Godmother, is available now at Liquid Silver Books.

You can find her on the web at www.DanielleMonsch.com, www.twitter.com/DaniMonsch, www.facebook.com/DanielleMonsch

One random commenter will win a copy of Loving a Fairy Godmother. Good luck!

Labels: Danielle Monsch, Loving a Fairy Godmother 13 comments | Links to this post

New Release: Storm of Passion

Nicole North

I have released a new contemporary erotic romance short story called Storm of Passion!

Seth Forester has wanted Lori Hollingsworth from the first moment he saw her in that hot pink bikini two years ago. And it’s no secret that Lori has a crush on Seth. The scorching kiss she gave him at a party a few months ago confirmed it. But if he gives into his urges and pursues her, he could lose his hard-won career. Lori is the boss’s daughter, and Seth has already been warned to stay away from her.

When Seth finds Lori upset after a date gone wrong, and a thunderstorm fast approaching, he has little choice but to take her to his condo. Though they’re both drenched to the skin, their attraction heats up like the lightning outside. No matter if his boss kicks him to the curb, Seth can no longer resist Lori. It’s not just her body he wants, but her heart.

Read an excerpt!

The Kindle version is available at Amazon and other formats are available at Smashwords.

Thanks!
Nicole
www.nicolenorth.com

Labels: contemporary romance, erotic romance, Nicole North, short stories, Storm of Passion 5 comments | Links to this post

Guest Interview: Trixie Stilletto

Natasha Moore

I'm so happy to welcome a longtime (I won't say "old" LOL) friend of mine, Trixie Stilletto, to visit with our Fierce Romance readers.

Trixie, please tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

I write erotic romance with a kiss of humor and currently have books out with Amber Quill Press and Phaze. I write non-erotic romance as Karen Troxel and have five romance novels available as well.

You have so many hot, funny stories out there. Tell us about your latest release.

I have two erotic romances I’d like to talk about. One is a contemporary comedy called “The Peter Heater” about a yarn shop owner and a millionaire.
Priscilla Destiny has nearly given up on her business. Sales have been slow, making for another miserable Christmas. Then she crashes her car into the barn of a remote mountain cabin. On Christmas Eve. Things couldn't possibly get any worse. Or can they?

Losing a million dollars has shaken more than Peter Chance's confidence. He trusted someone and look where it got him—alone in the Carolina mountains with a serious problem on his hands. "Erectile dysfunction" used to be a term he occasionally heard on late-night TV. Now those two little words have become his physical reality. That is, until curvy Priscilla crashes into his barn. Just looking at her tennis shoes gets him excited, and things start looking up...and up...and up.

Priscilla's stuck with a gorgeous guy who can't seal the deal, but she's not going to let another Christmas disaster stop her from taking control of her life. After all, she's great with her hands. When it comes to knitting, that is. And she's about to prove to Peter that a well-spun yarn can heat up more than his lonely little cabin...

I also have sci-fi , romantic comedy called “The Martian Affair” about a hunky space cop, a BBW trying to find her way and a colony on Mars with a skin tone problem and a habit of kidnapping women to be their wives.

The Universe may be different in 3535, but Stella Bright is just a big, beautiful young woman trying to find her place in it. Although rogue interstellar cop Indiana Jameson didn't ask her nicely, going with him to Mars and helping him solve a case seems right up her alley. Except there's more to Indy than just business...

Indiana is working way off the ISP books because this case is personal. He's certain he can control the situation if he can just keep his mind on the job and off Stella's tempting mouth and luscious body.

It's a tough assignment, but Stella's mother always told her not to judge a planet by its privates. A man, on the other hand...  

You like to write humor into your stories, but do you have any funny stories about your road to publication?

Well, there’s the story on how I chose my pen name. Natasha Moore, me, and eight of our closest friends, were riding the train from Buffalo to Manhattan for a romance writer conference just after I signed my first contract for an erotic romance short story. I said to my friends that I really couldn’t write under my name (Karen Troxel) because my mother would never forgive me. We started brainstorming possible names for me. Someone said Trixie and we took a poll of the other passengers (a large number of them men) who seemed to really like the idea of a Trixie. So, Trixie I became. Much later I learned that women like the name too. Except it seems a large number of them own toy dogs and Trixie is apparently the name of choice So, whenever I’m walking down the street now and I hear my name, I never know if it’s someone calling me or their Schnoodle to dinner.

LOL! What element of story creation is your favorite? (Character? Setting? Plot? Etc.) Why?

I like characters. They always come to me first and then I worry about setting and plot. Romance, above all else, is the story of two people meeting, falling and love and hoping for the forever after. The rest is just extra.

You write some very unique characters. What would your readers be surprised to find out about you?

That I’m a bad photographer but I love to bore people with my travel pictures.

If you could be one of your characters for a day, who would it be and why?

Right now, I think I would like to be the character in the story I just finished. Brenda Morrelli, who has found her way back from some troubles and started a new life in Montana. (It’s been a hot summer in Tennessee, so I think being in the cool mountains of Montana sounds pretty darn good about now.

You should come back to western New York LOL! Most people think a writer’s life is really glamorous. What’s the least glamorous thing you’ve done in the past week?

Other than clean up after my pets (a beagle who thinks she is a diva and a kitten who thinks he’s Spiderman)? Basically I’m boring. I run errands, cook, try to watch my weight, exercise occasionally and write stories that would probably get me put in a padded room if I lived in another era. Since I don’t, I just hunker down in my little cave and play make-believe.

I'm glad you're writing more stories. What can we look forward to from you in the future?

Well, I just finished Brenda’s story, titled “Saddling Brenda”. I’m also working on a new piece that features a klutzy photojournalist and a hunky athlete. After that, well, we’ll just have to see…

Where can our readers find out more about you?

If you dare, you can find me at http://www.trixiestilletto.com. I also hang out with a fine group of writers at http://www.servantsofthemuse.com . If you’re really brave you can visit my travel blog (http://thetravelingbabe.com) and see some of those bad photos I’m talking about.

Do you have anything you’d like to ask our readers?

How do you like your love? With laughter or without?

Labels: Guest Interview, The Martian Affair, The Peter Heater, Trixie Stilletto 6 comments | Links to this post

Wow Reviews! And More Giveaways!!!

Terry Spear

I'm at Cindy's Love of Books! Free giveaway and only one person has dropped by and commented so no competition!

Urban Girl Reader is hosting a giveaway, if you have a chance to drop by!

And here are some great reviews of Heart of the Highland Wolf!

HEART OF THE HIGHLAND WOLF by Terry Spear

Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear
Werewolf, Book 7
Sourcebooks
Paranormal, Suspense
ISBN: 978-1402245527
Reviewed by Miranda

American werewolf Julia Wildthorn is a romance author; her specialty is werewolf romance novels. Her latest plot involves Argent Castle in the middle of the Scottish Highlands. Julia is hitching a ride on the coattails of a movie being filmed around the castle. She plans to learn as much as possible about Argent Castle and the werewolves that inhabit it. Unfortunately, someone else has other plans for Julia. A wreck and a rescue by a certain Laird turn her plan upside down.

Laird Ian MacNeill hates the thought of a movie production taking place around his family’s castle but his recent money troubles leaves him no choice. Ian is startled when he stumbles across a horrible wreck and two stranded women. The luscious Julia lights his fire like no other but he knows she’s keeping secrets.

Movie production begins and enemies from the past arrive to seize what they believe is theirs. Ian and Julia’s attraction to each other becomes undeniable but can they trust each other? Argent Castle is rife with enemies, ghosts and deadly secrets. Will they all survive the battle headed their way?

Heart of the Highland Wolf is a sweet, sizzling and utterly satisfying. The story starts off with a bang and the hits keep coming keeping the reader immersed in this highland novel. I loved learning the history behind Argent Castle and the families that have lived there. Julia and her many names are mysterious and keep everyone guessing. Ian comes off as a hard-edged no-nonsense werewolf but Julia pushes all of his buttons bringing him plenty of chaos. Ian and Julia spark when they are together. I loved watching them dance around their attraction for each other. There are plenty of suspenseful parts of this novel but it’s the couple that sets these pages on fire. I could read about them over and over again! Heart of the Highland Wolf is a hot highland hit filled with sexy werewolves and dastardly villains. This is the seventh book in Terry Spear’s Werewolf series but it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-give-away-heart-of-highland-wolf.html

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will notice that I don't read/review romance books and that is only because its a genre I never really got into until I read To Tempt The Wolf. I fell in love with the book and the author. Terry's books are the only romance books I will read and highly recommend.

Heart of the Highland Wolf did not disappoint. I devoured this book within two days and if I could I think I would have stayed up all night to read it. After reading this I had a sudden urge to want to visit Scotland.

What I love about this series is that you really don't need to read the previous books in order to follow along because each book deals with a different set of characters and yes some characters carry over into other books but its nothing major. Each book is fresh and exciting.

Julia the main character is a romance writer who writes about werewolves. She has developed writers block and thinks that hopping on a plane to Scotland with her friend Maria and the film crew will help her over come this. They are going to Scotland to film a historical movie at Agent Castle. Little does everyone else know but Julia is also going over for another reason. Its sort of like a secret family mission.

Although once they land in Scotland strange things begin to happen to Julia. A strange man at the airport who Julia feels is being a little to possessive in his manner and then a car accident. Are all these things linked or is it just a fluke? Is there more to this then Julia realizes?

In Julia's eyes she is hoping that Ian (Laird, Ian MacNeill) will become the hero in her book and little does Julia realize that during the course of time he will become that and then some for her in real life.

Ian has given up on ever finding his true love because in the past something has always happened and he was left behind to pick up the pieces but when he sees Julia he knows that she is the one. He knows there is more behind her then she is telling. What will he do when he uncovers the truth?

For me I loved Julia and Ian. There relationship started out light and flirty but quickly heated up. One thing I love about Terry's books is that she leaves alot to the imagination. There isn't alot of over the top sex scenes just enough to satisfy the reader.

I am really looking forward to discover more about the MacNeill brothers such as Duncan, Gutherie, and Cearnach in her upcoming highland books.

http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-heart-of-the-highland-wolf-by-terry-spear/

Summary: Ian MacNeill, hero, is an earl-slash, alpha pack leader-slash, laird; who will lose Argent Castle because of financial reasons if he doesn’t do something quick. The solution? Agree to let Sunset Productions film a Highland movie on his property (in the Highlands of Scotland).

The production crew has agreed to all of Ian’s countless stipulations; so why then, is the assistant to the assistant director trespassing and breaking and entering?

MacNeill isn’t obtuse; he’s cognizant of Julia’s lies. He knows she’s being untruthful about many things: her surname, her occupation, and her motives for creeping around his castle. Another laird would be furious with the lass. Punishing her even. But Ian has his own wolfish ideas to get the lass to behave.

Review: This novel has it all; the suspense, the romance, a malicious antagonist, and a castle with secret tunnels, trap doors and its very own…ghost. I can’t decide which appealed more, the suspense or the mystery. “Give me a minute to think about it.” Let’s go with…suspense. I remember gasping out loud on page 6 and that was just the beginning.

Favorite Character: Flynn, Argent Castle’s very own ghost. He always helps a lady in need! I’m not kidding, I wanted more Flynn! (I’m pouting like Tinker Bell and stomping my little foot.)

Favorite Scene(s): I loved the way Ian welcomes Julia to Scotland. (Welcome me, welcome me!)

Then there’s the hike, which ends at the falls, where Ian pleasures Julia with and without her clothes. Hot doesn’t even begin to describe it. The man has talent! He also whispers sweet nothings in Gaelic.

Cameos: I spied with my little eye a wolf biologist named Cassie, and my favorite pack leader, Leidolf. For new readers, or those reading the series out of order, you can read all about Cassie and Leidolf in Seduced by the Wolf (book 5).

Special Surprises Which Tickled Me Pink: I found two references (pages 165 and 345) regarding LRP’s Get into Bed interviews. (Cute.) (Funny.) Again…tickled pink.

Recommendations: Recommended first and foremost to mystery lovers, then to readers who love romantic suspense, and finally to paranormal romance readers.

http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-heart-of-highland-wolf.html

Terry Spear once again thrills fans with the latest addition to her award-winning Heart of the Wolf series. Heart of the Highland Wolf takes place in Scotland and has everything from werewolves to castles and film crews. Fans of Spear will fall in love with new Highland characters that will expand the series in a new direction. Spears attention to detail and superb research skills give this book an authentic feel. Readers will love the details of wolf pack dynamics and Scottish clan loyalties. A great new paranormal romance!

Highland laird, Ian MacNeil finds himself and his clan up to their ears in debt and taxes after a bad investment scheme has left them nearly bankrupt. The clans ancestral home in the Caledonian Forest, Argent Castle is the perfect place to hide the fact that the clan is actually a gray werewolf pack until a movie production company comes calling. Ian realizes that this may be his only chance to save his home by allowing them to film a movie in the castle, but he doesn't have to like it. Julia Wildthorn, American red werewolf and romance writer has journeyed to Scotland with her friend Maria, a part of the movie crew. She has two motives for coming along for the ride. With deadlines looming she needs new inspiration for her next werewolf romance novel and her grandfather has charged her with finding and returning a family relic that remains hidden in Argent Castle. But when she and Ian collide there worlds will never be the same. How are they tied together by the past? What's in the mysterious box?

Author Terry Spear once again gives readers what they want. Her highly successful Heart of the Wolf series has proven that shape-shifters are characters that readers want to read about, especially werewolves. Spear uses her in depth research into wolf and pack behavior to create an authentic feel to the book that readers will pick up on immediately. She understands the need for readers to believe that this sort of thing is possible and to be able to identify with the characters she has created. I really enjoy the way that Spear injects the pack mentality into everything her werewolf characters do. Another thing I find particularly interesting is the fact that Spear's werewolves can be born or made. She takes a werewolf myth and expands and changes it somewhat, and to me at least, makes it a lot more appealing than most werewolf novels.

In this addition to the series, Spear takes on the Highland clans. Being of Scottish descent myself, I was very happy to see the way this book was going. Apparently Spear has Highland ancestry as well and it comes across in her writing. I found her writing about the inner workings of a clan just as interesting as her writing about pack dynamics. The seemed to intertwine very well in her writing and she was able to give readers a sense of history and wistfulness. It was a very good marrying of two groups. The Laird of the clan being much like the Alpha male in a wolf pack. I always look to see how a writer interprets Highland customs and traditions and the overall attitude of the Scottish people and in my opinion Spear pulls it off with flying colors.

Ian and Julia make a very good couple. He is the strong lead character that is necessary with a werewolf novel. He is the epitome of heroes. Strong and courageous and not afraid to admit when he is wrong. She on the other hand is creative and determined and full of tenacity and grit. Quite a pair. The love scenes are steamy and frequent and readers who enjoy the romance of a book, will swoon a bit over this one. Spear has a real knack for writing steamy love scenes. It adds a lot of spice to the book and the chemistry between them just sizzles off the pages. Very hot!

The whole idea of family secrets and boxes from the past and finding relics is important to the story, but not essential in my opinion. It provided some interesting circumstances in which to find the main characters and gives Julia a one plausible excuse to stow away with the production crew, but I liked the romance writer angle a little better. I love it when a writer makes one of her or his characters a novelist as well. But, that's somewhat difficult to pull off. Readers who are familiar with Spear's other books in the series will remember Julia from previous books and it seems only natural that she gets her own story with this one.

Spear has written each book in the series to function on its own as a stand alone and that makes all the difference with a big series like this one. Readers can just pick up anywhere within the series and not be a big disadvantage, though I think they miss out on some of the nuances of the story if they haven't read them all.

I would recommend this one to paranormal romance fans, werewolf and wolf enthusiasts alike and to anyone who loves a good steamy romance. There is a lot to offer the reader in this book and in the entire series. It certainly not one you want to miss!

Heart of the Highland Wolf is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

This one definitely gets 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag! One of my favorite book series' that I've ever read.

OKAY, so I'm off to write on 3 stories--the jaguar one, The Deadly Fae, and The Gypsy and the Millionaire. I'm not sure on the title. Still thinking on it. :) And still working on the cover.

Now, also, I"m about ready to post the newsletter. I'm sharing The Devil's Messenger, a True Tale about my dad. He truly had nine lives.

Have a super great Saturday! I have my work cut out for me today!!!

So what am I doing goofing off again???

:)

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

Guest Author: Gemma Halliday

Natasha Moore

Thanks so much to the Fierce Romance ladies for letting me crash their blog today. I totally dig these authors, so I’m thrilled to be here!

My Hollywood Confessions Blog Tour still has a few stops left, so please check out my website for links. I’ll be giving away more prizes at each stop! (Including gift cards, free books, cameo appearances, and Hollywood Headlines collectibles!)

Hollywood Confessions explores the sexy, scandalous, and sensational world of Hollywood through the eyes of tabloid reporter, Allie Quick. Allie has high aspirations - much higher than reporting on the latest celebrity gossip for the L.A. Informer, Hollywood's most notorious tabloid. But if she's going to join the ranks of the real reporters, she's going to need a headline worthy story under her belt. Luckily, she gets just that when the producer of the trashiest reality shows on TV winds up murdered, and Allie convinces her editor, Felix Dunn, that this story has her name written all over it. Between an aging dance-off judge, a family with sextuplets and triplets, and the star of a little person dating show, Allie has no shortage of reality stars to question. But when she finds herself falling for her prime suspect, Allie's relationship with her editor is suddenly on the rocks, and her life is in danger. This is one deadline Allie can't afford to miss!

One of my biggest challenges with this book was creating a likeable heroine in Allie. This is the 3rd book in my Hollywood Headlines series, each one focusing on a different fab female reporter at the L.A. Informer. In the first book HOLLYWOOD SCANDALS, Allie was a minor character, brand new at the paper, and not the heroine, Tina’s, favorite person. In fact, I think Tina refers to her as Annoying Barbie, Blondie, The New Chick, and a bunch of other words I can’t repeat in polite company. Basically, Tina thinks Allie only got her job because their editor is a sucker for blondes in short skirts and tight tops. And she’s not happy about it.

In book #2, HOLLYWOOD SECRETS, the heroine is Cameron Dakota, the paper’s photographer. And her opinion of Allie isn’t a whole lot better than Tina’s. Cam thinks Allie is a bit nosey, a bit sneaky, and will do just about anything to get a story. And she’s pretty sure that Allie is sleeping with the boss.

So, when I sat down to write book #3 I was both excited to finally let readers see things from Allie’s point of view, but also a little nervous. Even my own mother said, “You’re writing about Allie? Why? We hate her.”

But, personally, I felt sorry for Allie. See, while she dreams of joining the ranks of the Diane Sawyers of the world, Allie’s relegated to the TMZ beat, reporting on teen-ebrities’ latest designer Chihuahua purses. Not really fair, considering she graduated at the top of her class from UCLA’s journalism school. And while her lack of experience might be one factor in the journalism world not taking her seriously, the bigger factor lies in three little numbers – 36,26,36. A California blond bombshell, she has a hard time getting anyone to see past her looks – even though her I.Q. is an even more impressive number than her measurements. Somehow the old boys club of serious journalists isn’t clamoring to let her pink-wearing self into their ranks. And neither are the other girls. The truth is, Tina and Cam never really gave Allie a chance. As Allie puts it, “, it would have been nice to have someone show me the ropes—or at least where the ladies’ restroom was.”

But Allie’s a fighter. She is determined to make it in the journalism world, on her own if need be. She has nothing against the other girls at the paper, but if they want to play rough, she can wrestle a story down with the best of them – even in her hot heels and pink skirts. ;) (Oh, and as far as sleeping with the boss goes… well, let’s just say it’s complicated.)

While she was a bit of a challenge, I honestly think that Allie is one of my favorite heroines I’ve written so far. And I hope people enjoy her story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Hollywood Confessions is available now in both print and ebook! And since this is the 3rd book in the Hollywood Headlines series, today I’m giving away an Amazon.com or BN.com gift card (winner’s choice) worth $15 so that one lucky winner can either download the first two books in the series (priced at $.99 and $3.99), or purchase the first book in print (priced at $12.99). All you have to do to enter is post a comment below about one of YOUR favorite heroines. I’ll pick a winner at the end of the day and post her/his name at the end of the comments!

Happy reading!

~Gemma Halliday
http://www.gemmahalliday.com
HOLLYWOOD CONFESSIONS
available now in:
Paperback Print
Kindle
Nook
Ebook

Labels: Gemma Halliday, Hollywood Confessions 9 comments | Links to this post

Conflict and Candy

Cameo Brown

I realize that last week was Eye Candy Week and this is Conflict Week, but I've not been scheduled to blog during the last few times when we got to post our hubba hubbas, so I'm doing it this week. Besides, I'm technically on vacation right at this very moment, and it's only fair that if I'm enjoying eye candy--and oh how I am--that you should get to share the fun. I can't think of anything more pleasing than an Eye Candy collage, can you?

I suppose, given the week's theme, I should put something in here about conflict, shouldn't I?

Here's a key way to avoid marital conflict: Communication. For example, Hubby and I have clearly communicated that while we are out and about during our vacation, we can both look at the various gorgeous hunks and honeys, but NO touching. However, when we get back to the room, we can look AND touch. Hee hee hee.

Have a great Thursday and happy reading!